The Island

All round this island brimming,
Are flocks o'swans a'swimming,
Sages saying they always mate for life.
Two necks intertwine,
One proposes the divine,
Darling will, Oh will you be my blessed wife?
We'll go gliding besiding
The clouds close in hiding,
Soaring among infinite stars.
While fair winds below us,
Their beauty bestow us,
Symphonic celestial guitars.

Upon this island earth,
Trees stand in timeless mirth,
Tallest Guardians of nature's precious land.
Dripping leaves, dropping branches,
Throwing nuts to take their chances,
Sprouting seedlings 'tween their toes where they stand.
But oft times they sigh,
And the highest finally lie,
In deep repose some distant sunless day,
Becoming food for many more,
Banquets on forest's floor,
Sleep the sleeping of long and utter decay.

Far 'bove this island silent suns are shining,
Wild wings are winging,
Ceaseless songs are singing on high,
Of the couple below,
As they paddle so slow
To their destiny beneath dawn's new sky.
In attendance with good wishes
Swim all the sea's fishes,
All creatures of land ferrying, somehow,
Plus the birds of the air,
Since they all roosted there,
Witness this, their wedding vow:

 

The Vows

As long as waters flow
And waves break upon the sea,
As long as grasses grow
Will I be dear to thee.

What is this dearness which we seek,
But the bending of the egoless tree,
A tender leaf upon thy cheek
As I defer to thee.

Each moment, each hour,
Each day of company,
Each honey bee's flower,
Will I now give to thee.

Always I will listen
As we converse in harmony,
And always on condition
That I am part of thee.

In sickness and in health,
In life and memory,
In darkness and in wealth,
There I shall care for thee.

For all that I own
And all that I see
On this sphere we call home
Will I now share with thee.

But sharing and caring go far beyond
Family, friends and community.
One world's future's our biggest bond
While I will be living with thee.

Each morning's but the glories
Of a parting by degree.
Journey's end will reap deep stories
As I come home to thee.

For lo, young winter's past,
Spring has grown to melody,
Turtledoves now sing at last
The music I doth give to thee.

The sweetest red rose cannot confine
The lightest lily of humanity.
My beloved is mine, and I am thine,
As I must be to thee.

For as long as feathers fly
And breezes blow serenity,
As lightly as day's butterfly
Will I be loving thee.

With this round ring of golden sun,
And one kiss of eternity,
Our hearts now truly beat as one
As I now marry thee.

 

Composed by Martha and Jack Harich for their wedding ceremony on February 14, 1992.